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How to Tune Pianos

The Hobby, Skill, and Career of Piano Tuning

By Mark Cerisano

You NEED to be able to tell if a unison needs to be improved.

Listen to these unisons and say if they are beating a lot, a little, barely a little, or not at all.

"Moving a lot" and "moving a little" are both unacceptable unisons. By choosing one of these, you are saying, "This unison sucks and I would be furious if I paid a piano technician to tune my piano and they left one of my unisons sounding like this!" 

"Barely a little" means very close to pure but not pure. Don't select that unless the unison is very close to pure; almost no beating but still some movement or colour in the sound. This unison may fool some customers, all except the most demanding of customers.

You can play the unison again after you get the answer. When ready to move on, click the NEXT button (Green arrow, bottom right).

Reload the page to take the test again.


IMPORTANT:
Moving a lot or moving a little are relative terms. I give you these recordings so you can compare what I mean and what kind of response I am asking for.

Notes:
Moving a lot means this is an unacceptable unison. Nobody should ever leave a unison like this.
Moving a little means some unskilled technicians may leave unisons like this but demanding pianists would not accept this from their technician.
Barely moving means it's not pure but it could fool some people.
Not moving. This is your goal, always.


Moving a lot.
NEVER acceptable!


Moving a little.
Some amateurs think these are ok.


Barely moving.
Many people can't get better than these without training, especially after the key is played loudly..


Not moving.
This is your goal.